Tractor hitch



April 22 1924.

G. H. SCHRUM TRACTOR HITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1922 RQWM- I35% April 22 1924. 1,491,637

G. H. SCHRUM TRACTOR HITCH Filed Aug. 22. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SHOWM01;

M'TNE 56 E6 Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

GEORGE E. SOHBUM, F TEMPLETON, IOWA.

TRACTOR HITCH.

Application m d August 22, 1922. Serial Rb. 3,579.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H.. ScHRUM, a citizen of the United States,residing at Templeton, in the county of Carroll and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Tractor Hitches, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tractors and has special reference to aconnecting bar for connecting a tractor to farm implements, or wa ons,or the like.

ne important object of the invention is to improve the generalconstruction of devices of this description.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis description which is of improved construction and which may bereadily released from the wagon or implement which is being pulled orpushed by the tractor.

A third object of the invention is to provide a device of thisdescription which may be used, either as a swinging connection-or as astiff connection to the implement or wagon.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafterapparent, the invention consists in general 0 certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device assembled and showing the portionof a tractor and the front of a vehicle tongue connected thereby.

Figure 2 is a detail section partly in elevation, on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a certain supporting are andplate used herewith.

Figure 4 is a detail view of one of the locking pins used herewith.

Figure 5 is a detail view of another locking device used in thisconnection.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective of a latch controlled by the lockingdevice shown in Figure 5 and used for the connection to the vehicle.

In carrying out this device it is preferred to connect to the rear endof a tractor T a pair of plates 10 having their ends ofiset, the centralportions of these plates be mg provided wlth suitable openings '11 toreceive rivets 12 securing the plates in spaced relation on the tractor.Between the offset ends of these plates is mounted a supportlng are or5th wheel 13 and between the center portions of the plate 10 extends apivot pin 14 whereon is mounted a pair of traction members or bars 15,one of these bars lying above and the other below the are 13. rojectinfrom these bars is a pair of forks 16 w ich are secured to the bars bybolts 17 passing through the stems of the forks and the free ends of thebars 15. These forks 16 have outwardly diverging arms 17 thus providinga flaring mouth 18 which terminates inwardly in a pocket 19. Through oneof the arms 17 extends a pivot pin 20 whereon is mounted a latch member21 having a hook portion 22 which, when the latch member is in lookingposition closes the pocket 19. Just behind the opening for the pinsufficiently larger than said pin to permit rocking movement of theplate 27. One end of this plate is turned downward as at 28 to form afulcrum while the other end forms a lifting eye 29. From beneath thisplate projects a pin which passes through the opening 23 and into theslot or opening 24 to lock the latch 21 against movement when the latteris in looking position. The pin 26 is provided on its lower end with anut 31 and between this nutand the lower fork is a spring 32 whichconstantly urges the pin downward and thus holds the member 30 inposition. Extending through the arms 15 adjacent the are 13 is a pin 33which has its upper end bent at right angles as at 34 and again bentdownward at right angles as at 35 so as to pass through an opening 36 inthe upper plate or bar 15 and through an opening 37 in the are 13. Thispin 33 also is provided with a nut 38 and spring 39 so as to hold it inlooking position. From the foregoing it will be obvious that by freeingthe end 35 from the opening 37 the arms 15 may swing on the pivot 14 andthus a swingin connection will be established. Also a rlgi or stificonnection may be formed by engaging the pin 35 in said openin 37. Inlike manner lifting the eye 29 wil free the latch member and release theclevice 25.

There has thus been rovided a simple and eflicient device of t e kinddescribed and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor'changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

In a'device of the kind described, a pair of spaced plates, a supportingare having its ends secured between the ends of said plates, a pair ofarms pivoted to said plates concentric of the arc and lying one aboveand one below said are fork members bolted t nearest to said arms andextending in alignment therewith, a latch member pivoted to said armsand lying between the same, said fork members having flaring mouthsterminating inwardly in a pocket and the latch member swinging to openand close said pocket, openings in one of said plates and the latchmember movable into and out of registry, a spring pressed locking pinadapted to enter sai openings when in registry and thereby to hold thelatch member against movement, said supportin arc and arms likewisehaving openings into and out of registry, and a second locking pinspring pressed and adapted to enter the last mentioned openings when inregistry whereb to lock the said arms-from'movement on t eir pivots.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

GEORGE H. SCHRU. Witnesses:

R. LANE, LOUIS G. Sonnacn.

